Patient? You Want Me to Be Patient?
I want to know who the ignoramus was that said, “Patience is a virtue.”
What? You say it was Saint Paul? And he said it a few times? Maybe not exactly in those exact words, but pretty close? Oops. My bad. Sorry Paul.
And here’s proof:
Romans 8:25 – But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
And then there’s Galatians 5:22-23 (which I almost hesitate to quote because…there are so many of these that I royally fail at) –
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
No law against such things? Good to know. I’ve got my work cut out for me.
At times such as these - you know, post-election waiting for the results - I go back and lean on the B-I-B-L-E (which makes me think of my six-year-old son singing that classic, “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me…” and crescendoing with an enthusiastic, “Dah Bible!” But I digress.)
Last night (that would be Election night) someone posted on Facebook, “How long, oh Lord, how long?”
When I read it, I was immediately transported back to a U-2 concert that my then 13-year old son and I went to in December 2005 during their Vertigo tour. For their last song, Bono began singing “40,” based on Psalm 40. You can watch it here:
I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the mire and clay
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long, how long, how long
How long, to sing this song
He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long, how long, how long
How long, to sing this song
There we were, all 18,233 of us in Portland’s Rose Garden singing at the top of our voices over and over again,
How long to sing this song?
It was the most spiritual experience I have ever had in a decidedly secular space.
So today, I will try to sing a new song as I wait (perhaps, patiently) during the next few days to determine the outcome of a divided nation. How long will we sing this song? As long as we are called to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly.
I invite you to join me.